The question of enlargement and East Germany's worry about its eastern neighbors taking jobs ... that is the general worry in the EU.
Southern European countries are worried that the subsidies they've got so far will have to go to Eastern Europe. And I think they have to go there because these economies (in Eastern Europe) must be elevated to a higher level such as is the case now in Portugal, Spain and Greece.
Now we have to do the same job in Central and Eastern Europe. Of course people always complain if something is taken away from them.
But in all fairness, one has to say we have to help the newcomers to adjust into the union and this is the common task of all EU members, and Germany is prepared to do that.
TT: Taiwan's foreign minister has just returned from a trip to the EU. The message he brought back was that the EU would consider the establishment of Taiwan's representative office in the EU (and a reciprocal arrangement) after both Taiwan and China enter the WTO. Since 1993, the European Parliament has passed two related resolutions to urge the executive body of the EU to do so. Are you optimistic about this development?
Rupprecht: Yes. The Parliamentary resolutions are not binding on the EU. And the body that really has the decisive voice is the European Commission.
I think most EU countries either have nothing against more intensive contacts (with Taiwan) or actively support it. So it's just a matter of the Commission making up its mind when it will do that. There is basically no real problem. I think it will come, although I don't know exactly when. It's more a problem of funding now.
TT: How about pressure from Beijing?
Rupprecht: No, in this matter, I think it will not influence the EU decision, because the Commission is mainly representing the EU on the economic and the commercial side. Beijing cannot object because this is an area where we can cooperate very freely. I don't think that angle plays a role in this particular question.
TT: What can Taiwan and China learn from the German experience of reunification?
Rupprecht: That is a very difficult question, and it will take a long time to explain the details. Of course there are many differences between the two countries.
The most basic thing both sides can learn is that if there is ever to be unification, it should be with peace and freedom. It cannot be forced. We made it very clear early on that we would not want reunification at the cost of another military confrontation. Neither side should try to force it on the other.
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